Jason Momoa’s Remake Of The Crow Is Definitely Happening

Jack Beresford

2 weeks ago

Plans for a remake of the Brandon Lee cult classic The Crow are officially moving forward after Sony gave the film a release date.

The 1994 supernatural revenge thriller, based on James O’Barr’s graphic novel of the same name, has earned legendary status thanks to director Alex Proyas’ striking work behind the camera and Lee’s central performance.

The Crow also became a cult hit in part because Lee was actually killed during a freak on-set accident that occurred midway through filming. It was an eerie occurrence, given that his father, Bruce Lee, also died while working on a film in the 1970s.

Proyas’ film told the story of a man brought back from the death to exact revenge against the criminals who murdered him and his girlfriend.

More significantly, Lee’s death forced Proyas and the film’s editors to get creative with body doubles and some carefully cut scenes required to help piece together a complete performance. The film was a surprise hit and spawned three further sequels and a TV series.

Now, after several years of delays, plans are moving forward for a reboot to the franchise which will see Jason Momoa step in in place of Lee as The Crow.

Up-and-coming director Corin Hardy is set to take charge of the project, having caught the eye of studio bosses with his horror film The Nun, which is out later this year.

The new version of The Crow is set to be steadfastly faithful to O’Barr’s original comic, which was released back in 1989.

Fans still have some time to wait before the film arrives though, with a release date of October 11, 2019 put in place by Sony.

Proyas has already voiced his opposition to the plans, during a lengthy Facebook post last December:

“WHY I THINK THE CROW SHOULD NOT BE REMADE

“I was privileged to know Brandon Lee – he was a young, immensely gifted actor with a great sense of humour and a bright future ahead of him. I was also privileged to have been able to call him a friend. Our working relationship as actor/director went beyond mere collaboration. We crafted a movie together which has touched many people.

“I did not take a “film by” credit on THE CROW. I wanted it to be Brandon’s movie, because it was, and because he would not be able to make any more movies. He brought all his passion to the movie and it has lasted as his legacy. It is a film I know he would have been proud of.

“I finished the film for Brandon – struggling through grief, along with the hugely supportive cast & crew who all loved Brandon, to complete it in his absence. We were imbued with the strength of Brandon’s spirit and his inspiration. Not only Brandon’s wonderful work as an actor and a film-maker, but as a man, who’s humanity had touched us.

“THE CROW would not be a movie worth “remaking” if it wasn’t for Brandon Lee. If it wasn’t for Brandon you may never have even heard of this poignant little underground comic. It is Brandon’s movie. I believe it is a special case where Hollywood should just let it remain a testament to a man’s immense talent and ultimate sacrifice – and not have others re-write that story or add to it. I know sequels were made, and TV shows, and what have you, but the notion of “rebooting” this story, and the original character – a character Brandon gave life to at too high a cost – seems wrong to me.

“Please let this remain Brandon’s film.”

Unfortunately, for Proyas, those appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears.